Fire-escape.



No. 704,126. Patented luly 8, |962.

C. SEESSLE.

FIRE ESCAPE.

{Application filed Oct. 1, 1901.)

(Nu Mode.) 3 Sheets-Sheet?.

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No. 704,I26. Patented July 8, |902.

C. sEEssLE.

FIRE ESCAPE.

v (Application filed Oct. 1, 1901.) No Modal.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

IN'VEN TUR BY/h'm ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES SEESSLE, OF IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOGUSTAV SEESSLE, OF BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN, NEV YORK, N. Y.

FlRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part f Lttels Patent NO. 4704,126,'(121'56121 Jlly8, 1902. Application led October 1, 1901. Serial No. 77,180. (N0 model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES SEEss/LE, a subject of the Emperor ofGermany, residing at Irvington, Essex county, New Jersey, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to fire-escapes, and particularly to that class ofsuch devices in 1o which a folding ladder is attached to the wall of abuilding.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of this class whichwill be strong and durable, which will take up little space, and

x5 which will be capable of ready manipulation.

A specific embodiment of my invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings, and the features of novelty willthen be pointed out in the apzo pended claims.

Figure l is an elevation of a building provided with my improvedfire-escape. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the improvementin position for use. Fig. 3 is an en- 2 5 larged detail view of thelatter with parts in section on line 3 3 of Fig. 5. Fig. 4 is asectional elevation on line 4 4 of Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a sectional plan online 5 5 of Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 6 is a sectional plan on line (i 6 of 3oFig. 4. Fig. 7 is a partial sectional elevation of the ladder-supportand one of the rungs. Fig. 8 is a detail face view of one of theladder-sections with the outer standard omitted. Fig. 9 is a detailoutside view showing the manner of locking the ladder-sections in theclosed position. Fig. 10 is a section on line 10 l0 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11is a cross-section on line ll ll of Fig. 9, and Fig. l2 is a detail viewof a portion of a rung.

.io The improved ladder or fire-escape comprises, essentially, thefollowing three parts: a support secured to the building, an uprightarranged to move toward and from the support, and rungs pivotallyconnected at one end to the upright and at the other end to the support.Preferably, for the sake of easy manipulation,the outer upright isconstructed in sections, so that the entire ladder practically consistsof a series of independent sections, and in folding the ladder back intothe closed position only one section is to be raised at a time.

The support consists, preferably, of a channel-iron the rear wallAofwhich lits against the wall of the building or against projectingportions thereof, as cornices, and is secured thereto in any suitablemanner. The side members A of the channel-iron project forwardly, and toone of them are secured at regular intervals brackets A2. The bracketsand the 6o adjacent side member A receive pivot-pins B, which, as shown,are constructed as screwbolts, the inner ends of which receive nuts B".On these pivot-pins are mounted the rear or inner ends O of the rungs O.These ends are of a smaller thickness than the space between the bracketA2 and the side member A', and the inner face of the bracket is formedwith grooves, as shown at the bottom of Fig.

3, so as to reduce the surface against which 7o the side of the end Obears. For a similar purpose a grooved or corrugated Washer D isinterposed between the side A' and the adjacent face of the rung end C.Further, the aperture of the rung through which the pivot- 7 5 pin Bpasses is not circular, but is provided with outwardlyextending recessesC2, as shown in Figs. 7 and l2, so that the rung will engage the pivotonly at a comparatively small number of points instead of engaging 8o itat the entire periphery. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 show that the pivots B arelocated near the forward portion of the side members A' and in front ofthe pivots, but at a lower level. Supporting-brackets E are secured tothe side members A', (see Fig. 7,) these brackets being adapted to beengaged by the lower edges of the rungs when the latter are in ahorizontal position. Furthermore, the upper edges of the rungs areadapted to engage 9o stop-shoulders E, which may be formed directly uponthe rear wall A of the support, as shown in Fig. 4; but preferably, forthe i sake of easier manufacture, the rear wall is provided withapertures at intervals to receive socket-pieces E2, each of which hasthe shoulder E', as shown in Fig. 7. The socketpieces may be madeintegral with the brackets A2. It will be understood that the pivot B isbetween the two supports formed by the roo bracket E and the shoulder E.and that these j the ladder when open will be firmly connectsupports areso arranged as to practically relieve the pivot entirely of the weightcarried by the ladder, thereby making the ladder very strong in use. Theparticular construction ofthe rung end C adjacent to the pivot and thecorrugated surfaces which engage the sides of said rung end contributenot only to facilitate the pivotal movement of the rung, but also toprevent rusting fast, which is of great importance, since a device ofthis class will often remain unused for months and possibly for years.The inner end portions C of the rungs are parallel with the sides Al ofthe support. The outer or forward end portions of the rungs C3 arelikewise parallel with the side portions Al and are pivotally secured tothe outer upright or standard F, which is preferably made in sections.The connection is eected through the medium of a pivot pin or bolt G,secured to a forked bracket H, which is fastened by rivets or otherwiseupon the inner surface of the upright F. Of course there are a number ofsuch brackets secured at regular intervals along the upright F. It willbe observed by reference to Figs. 3, 5, and 8 that these brackets I-Iare located on the opposite side of the structure to that on which thebrackets A2 are located. From this arrangement it follows that thecentral or body portions of the rungs C are disposed obliquely, asclearly shown in Figs. 3 and 8. The opening at the inner end of the rungis made of the same shape as that shown at the outer end of the rung, asshown in Fig. 12, and, further, corrugated washers D/ are interposedbetween the side surfaces of the rung end C3 and the members of thebracket H for the same purpose as described with reference to the outerrung end C. By giving the rungs the oblique position described and shownI am enabled to fold the ladder into a very small compass.

While I have shown the rung ends parallel with the sides of thesupports, so that the pivots B and G may be readily attached, I do notwish to limit myself to this specic construction.

The upright F is preferably provided with means for effecting awater-tight joint with the forward edges of the side members A. Thismeans may consist of a rubber lining I, secured to the inner surfaces ofthe flanges F at the edges of the upright F, or, if preferred, therubber lining may be attached to the outer surfaces of the side membersA.

To protect the parts when in their folded condition against the entranceof rain from above, I may provide a roof at the top of the structure,said roof being secured either to ed. However, in most cases theseguides may be dispensed with.

To protect the rungs against becoming hot under the iniiuence of fire, Imay apply to them an asbestos covering J, as shown in` Figs. 7 and 12. Y

In order to hold the ladder in a closed position and to release it whendesired, I provide the following arrangement, (shown particularlyinFigs. 9, 10, and 11:) To the outer surface of the upright F is secured abracket F4, one end of which is adapted to be engaged by a catch-lip K/on a holder K. This holder has stems K2 mounted to slide up and down instationary guides K3, which may besecured to one of the side members A.Figs. 3 to 6 and S to 11 show the parts in a normal closed position, inwhich the catch-lip K is slid down over the end of the bracket F4. Incase of re the holder K, which is, of course, arranged adjacent to awindow or other opening of the building, is raised so as to clear saidbracket and release the outer upright F. In some cases the weight ofsaid upright and of the parts connected therewith will be shown to causeit to drop into the position shown at the right in Fig. 1; but if thisshould not be the case a slight pull on the handle L, secured to theoutside of the upright F, will start it on its downward movement. Theinner ends of the rungs C will then come into the position shown inFigs. 2 and 7 and also indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 6, sothat, as pre.

viously explained, the said rungs will be supported chiefly by thebrackets E and shoulders E and only very slightly, if at all, by thepivl ots B. The ladder will therefore be perfectly safe even if thepivots should have become weakened by rust. The asbestos covering .Iwill preserve the ladder in a serviceable condition even if it should beexposed to great heat. To bring the ladder back into its normalposition, 'its sections will be raised successively until a tight jointis obtained between the upright F and the side members A of the supportand the several holders K will be moved downward to catch over thebrackets F4. The ladder will thus be kept in a compact and practicallywaterproof condition until occasion arises for its use.

Instead of using the handle L for starting the upright F in its openingmovement I may after raising the holder K turn the same forward in thesleeves K3, so that the lower portion of the holder will engage thebracket F4. A forward movement of the holder K will then obviously pushthe bracket F4 and with it the upright F outward, thus starting theladder on its opening movement. All the holders K may be connected tomove in unison.

It will be understood that the rungs C, whether in their foldedposition, Figs. 3, 4, and 8, or in their extended position, Figs. 1, 2,and 7, will lie one above the other in the same vertical plane, althoughthey will when extended stand out in a slightly-oblique posi IOO IIO

tion from the support A. This oblique position makes it easier for theoccupants of the building to step on the ladderl from a window or otherplace.

It is apparent that the rungs C in passing from the upright foldedposition to the open position will by reason of their Obliquity describea portion of a conical surface of revolution upon their axes, (the boltsB.) By this construction the rings may be placed in close proximity toeach other, but when extended will hold the upright F far enough fromthe side of the building so as not to interfere with the free use of theladder.

l may connect with my improved tire-escape alarm devices located on theseveral iioors of the building with the circuits preferably so arrangedthat as soon as any one of the sections of the ladder is thrown open thealarm will be given on all floors. These alarms may consist of ordinarybells or gongs or the circuit may include electric lights, the suddenlighting of which would warn the occupants, or both devices-that is, theaudible and visible alarm-may be used, so that the occupants may beawakened and at the same time the way to their exit will be clearlyshown.

To prevent lateral swaying of the ladder, I may provide stays M,swiveled at lWI to the building or a iixed support and at M2 to theupright F.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s-

l. The combination of the fixed support, the rungs pivoted thereto, theupright connected with the free ends of the rungs, and a locking devicecomprising two cooperating members7 one secured to a ixed part and theother to the upright, one of said members being mounted to slide and toturn about an upright axis, the sliding movement serving to lock orunlock the two members,while the turning movement serves to throw theupright outward by bringing said member in operative contact with it.

2. The combination of the stationary support, the upright arranged tomove in a plane at one side of the support, brackets located upon thesupport at the other side thereof, and parallel therewith, and rungseach having one end portion extended between a bracket and the adjacentportion of the support and pivotally connected therewith, while theother end portion of the rung is pivotally connected with the upright,and the central portion of the rung is disposed obliquely to said endportions.

3. The combination of astationarysupport, rungs pivoted thereto, anupright connecting the outer ends of the rungs, and a locking devicecomprising two coperating members secured respectively to the supportand to the upright, one of said members being mounted to slide on thepart carrying it and also to turn on the said part about an upright axisso as to cause the upright to be swung away from the support.

et. The combination of the stationary support, the rungs having theirinner ends pivoted to one side of said support, the upright arranged tofold against the said support, means for pivotally connecting the outerends of the rungs with the upright at the opposite side to their pivotalconnection with the support, and a compressible waterproof liningarranged to form a joint between the upright and the support when theformer is folded against the latter the lining being carried by one ofsaid parts.

CHARLES SEESSLE. W'itnesses:

EUGENE EBLE, JOHN LOTKA.

